A Schenectady man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle from Wynn Hospital and starting a fire at a gas station in Utica on February 1, 2025. The incident unfolded after a woman at the hospital mistakenly handed over her car keys to a man posing as a valet worker. The man drove off with the vehicle, prompting the police to issue a “Be On The Lookout” (BOLO) alert.
Later that morning, police responded to a report of a burglary and fire at the Atlas Gas Station on Mohawk Street. The station’s employee found a man inside the store after breaking in, eating snacks and starting a fire in the building’s rear room. Surveillance footage showed the same man, later identified as Aaron Jones, 48, of Schenectady, who had stolen the vehicle earlier.
After a brief investigation, officers were able to locate Jones on the 1100 block of West Street and took him into custody. He now faces several charges, including Burglary in the Third Degree, Arson in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
The police continue to investigate the case.
